Mika returned to the hotel not long after arriving at the saloon. The only reason she had gone was to see Kaylen and she wasn't there. She couldn't help but feel worried. Missing for hours after coming to this hotel? Where hardly even a day ago a dead body had been found? Not a good idea.
She headed towards the direction of the staircase, walking very carefully as it was pitch black. Yes, she was used to the dark. Not having stayed here long, she still knew that after midnight it was most likely that Charles the receptionist had closed down and gone to bed, the snoring coming from the desk confirmed it.
"Does he not have a bed?" she thought.
She advanced carefully in the dark, squinting in an attempt to see in front of her, but to no avail. Arms extended, trying to feel her way through to the stairs, she chuckled to herself that she must look like a zombie the way she was walking. Then she remembered that of all places that was not the one to be thinking of even remotely scary things.
Suddenly, she felt something in front of her. She gasped and automatically stepped back. The sound of something flicking was heard and a small light appeared to reveal an evil face. It was dug with deep wrinkles and had huge bags under the eyes, eyes with an evil glint in them and an evil smirk to match.
Mika let out a scream and took several hasty steps back. She tried to control herself not to shout again, the first one being of surprise not fear, she told herself.
The figure stepped closer to her as she backed off. Now a puzzled expression rather than the mad murderer one had appeared on its face.
-What's wrong? a familiar voice asked.
Mika's eyes widened.
-Sheriff?
The sheriff turned the lights on by the switch. Now she saw that the scary face was no one else's other than the sheriff's.
-Damn, you really scared me there! she said with a sigh of relief. But wait, don't tell me you're the murderer!
She tensed up again. The sheriff shook his head in despair as if suggested what Mika had said was nonsense.
Mika was still tensed up and kept a safe distance.
-Then… what are you doing here at this time?
-Why I came to investigate the disappearance of Kaylen Swift.
Although she knew it, she couldn't help but feel shocked. Now it was official, Kaylen was missing and know one knew what could have happened to her.
Mika nodded her head sorrowfully.
-Is there anyway I can help?
-Of course! Tell me anything you know.
-I don't really know anything. I went to the saloon just now and the barmaid there told me she had been missing since the afternoon.
-Hm, said the sheriff as he scratched his head. That's exactly all the information I've got. I guess no one knows anything more.
Mika leaned on the reception desk, head lowered. Charles was still fast asleep.
-I say we search all the hotel, suggested the sheriff, she may be locked somewhere and can't get out. Your mind shouldn't always go to the worst and less likely, he reassured Mika.
Mika chuckled slightly.
-I thought it was most likely to be killed, burned or dissected here than get locked in the wardrobe.
The sheriff laughed the comment off as he headed for the stairs.
-You check the fridge. You have no idea how easy it is to get stuck there.
-Wait, where is that?
-In the basement first door to the left.
Mika went towards where she had been told, unhappy that she was stuck with going to the basement, the scariest part of the hotel. She hadn't actually been in it, but she had caught a glimpse of it earlier on when Charles went down to repair something. Dark, cold and a supernatural aura emitting from it. There was a reason it was always locked.
She got to the door and unlocked it. Just looking at that door gave her the creeps. She proceeded down the stairs very carefully. It really wasn't as frightening as she thought. It was worse.
Strange noises were heard from all around, after all the power supplies of the hotel were down there. Doors that she didn't know what was hiding behind, dust flying in the atmosphere and a cold damp feeling came from around. She considered herself a gutsy person, despite the many frights she had experienced here. Nothing compared to this of course, the constant feeling that something was going to jump out of the dark at her. She didn't feel this that much walking through a pitch-black lobby.
She spotted the door the sheriff was talking about and almost ran to it. The faster she got out of there the best. It had a complicated handle that resembled a steering wheel. She turned it several times before the door clicked open.
A wave of frozen air, came out, so thick it could be seen. She peeked in the room. It really wasn't big and she could see all four corners of it there. She could feel the chill on her face, if that alone was so cold, anyone getting locked in here stood no chance. Kaylen was nowhere in there so she closed the door and prepared to leave when a weird sound got to her ear. There were many weird sounds down in the basement, but this was different. It sounded almost like chanting.
Mika stood still contemplating were it could be coming from. She listened carefully to the ever so slight sound. It felt as if it was coming from her left, a door opposite the fridge.
This door was different from all others. It was bigger and fancily decorated and unlike the others, she couldn't even guess what could be behind it. Hesitantly, she went towards it and pressed her ear on it.
Her suspicions were confirmed, the chanting was indeed coming from there. It was in an incomprehensible language and the voice sounded like it belonged to a female. She couldn't help but be concerned; why the hell was someone chanting? Was this some gathering spot for a weird cult? Then she realized, it shouldn't surprise her. Her next thought was to go in and stop it, she didn't want such things in "her" hotel, but it immediately struck her as a bad idea. She didn't know if there were many people in there and she was alone and defenseless.
Swallowing her fear, she decided to go for it. What was happening was incredibly weird and she couldn't let it go on.
Surprisingly, the door was unlocked. She opened it enough to fit through and quietly entered.
Her hand flicked up immediately to cover her mouth, desperately trying to stifle a gasp. Her breathing became erratic, taking in air through panting heavily. She tried to calm herself down so she wouldn't be taken notice of, but she couldn't, what she saw was way too unbelievable.
In the middle of a cave-like room, candles lit in every corner and decorated with golden ornaments, knelt Kaylen, obviously worn-out and tied up. In front of her, a strange woman with jet-black hair tied up in short pigtails and dressed in black was chanting loudly and with much zealous.
Mika had managed to control her breathing, now she was pressed against a wall watching the scene and her mouth hung open. Was this for real?
Kaylen seemed scared, especially not knowing what the strange woman's plans were. It was pretty much anyone's guess as she was holding a small knife in her hand.
Kaylen noticed Mika who was still frozen. Her eyes brightened up but she made no sign that would give Mika away. Mika however was too scared and shocked to make any move. She was trying to comprehend what was going on before she could react.
Kaylen looked a bit more worried by Mika's immobility, the chanting woman hadn't noticed anything though. That's when Mika decided she should take action, although unfortunately not the wisest course of it. She spoke.
-What's going on here? she said, sounding pretty brave despite her real emotions.
The woman turned, surprised that someone had interrupted her. Mika saw that she had a purple high light in her hair and that her make-up resembled hers during her teenage years.
-How.. how dare you interrupt a sacrifice to the Prime Heifer?
-Sa- sacrifice? said Mika not able to conceal a tremble in her voice. She was up against a woman with a knife and no matter how many years of karate lessons she had under her belt, she wasn't prepared for this.
-Yes! she answered. The Prime Heifer feeds of souls and he needs them to become strong enough to be transacted into the physical world and bring peace to it!
That's when Mika noticed a small shrine behind Kaylen, the gold statue of a cow catching her attention.
-Your god is a… cow?
The woman became furious.
-It's not a cow! That's just a physical form that… that…. it really doesn't matter!
Mika backed of a bit, having been brave enough earlier to step forward. The way the weird woman was flinging her arms about, it would be surprising if she got Kaylen with the knife. That's why she had to do something.
-Ok, I understand, now let her go.
She smirked.
-And why would I do that?
-You really think your god will appreciate the sacrifice? That is so passé!
-He will, said the woman, he came to me personally and told me.
-Oh, said Mika running out of things to say. Well, take me instead.
That was the best she could come up with. The woman smiled.
-Now why would I do that?
-Er, you don't want her! I mean she…. I'm from a big town, you know, not here. Wouldn't he appreciate me more than a townie? she said hoping she hadn't insulted Kaylen too much.
The woman thought about it for a few seconds before cutting Kaylen's ropes and letting her go.
-Now you come here.
Mika obeyed, she went towards her and knelt where Kaylen had been kneeling, only facing the shrine. It didn't escape her attention though that Kaylen was still there.
-Go! she whispered.
Kaylen looked mortified and frozen in her feet. Mika sighed, there was no reason Kaylen had to be there, she was saved.
The woman resumed to chanting, this time louder. After a little while she brought the knife close to Mika's neck. Finally, she thought, the opportunity she had been looking for. She grabbed the hand with the knife in it, tightly, so tightly and suddenly that she dropped the knife. She got up and in the process twisted the woman's arm up her back. The woman groaned in pain and tried to shuffle to get out of Mika's hold but it was impossible, one small move and her arm would be broken.
-Let me go! she shouted.
-I'm sorry, said Mika, but no can do!
Kaylen appeared in front of her suddenly, holding cut rope in her hands. She motioned at the restrained woman. Mika took the rope with her other hand and started to tie it around the woman's wrists. It wasn't very long or strong but it would do for a bit.
-Go call the sheriff, she told Kaylen.
Kaylen nodded and left the room. Mika looked at the woman with a smirk on her face. She felt really satisfied with herself.
-So you're the killer.
The woman chuckled.
-I'm not a killer. I'm a mere servant, a tool to my master as he will one day be transacted into this rotten world.
-The rotten only thing here is you! Was he a sacrifice too?
The woman was looking at Mika with a stoic expression on her face. It was almost as if she didn't understand the question.
-Answer me! And you had to kill him in my room as well!
That instant, the sheriff followed by Kaylen barged in. A few seconds later the mayor appeared.
-That was fast, mumbled Mika.
-Well what do you expect? I'm practically next to this building! This ain't no Pleasantview! said the sheriff.
He looked towards the restrained woman.
-What have we got here? he said as he stepped closer to her. Ava Cadavra my old friend.
-I see you're still the sheriff. That says a lot about the standards of this town. Everyone must feel veeery safe knowing you're watching over them, said Ava with a cynical smirk on her face.
-Well I'm sure everyone will feel a lot safer with a loon like you behind bars.
The sheriff retrieved his handcuffs and slipped them around Ava's wrists, brushing the practically destroyed ropes off.
-Nice knot. Anyone a sailor in here? he laughed to himself. He led the woman, who had remained surprisingly calm throughout the whole process, outside. The mayor looked at the girls with a sweet smile on his face.
-We can't thank you enough for capturing the culprit. Hopefully now we'll be able to sleep in peace. You have the gratitude of everyone in Strangetown! he said and left.
-Makes it sound like we're gonna get medals, smirked Mika.
Kaylen just laughed at the silliness of her comment.
-That's how the police works here, everyone mucks in.
There was a slight pause. Kaylen turned to face Mika.
-I want to say, thanks. I wouldn't have come out of here alive if it weren't for you. You really risked your life there. No one has ever done anything like that for me.
Mika was moved by Kaylen's appreciation but the atmosphere was getting a bit too heavy, so she laughed to lighten it.
-Well I bet you've never been in such a situation before! It really wasn't much, I've been doing karate all my life.
-But still, it was dangerous, and thank you.
Kaylen then did something unexpected; she hugged her. Mika stood there looking at the girl startled before relaxing and wrapping her arms around her and smiling ever so slightly.
Kaylen stepped back and gave her a big smile.
-I hope I can help too one day!
-I certainly hope not! said Mika laughing.
Kaylen realized why and laughed too.
-You know what I mean, lesser trouble, doesn't need to be crazy people with knives.
The girls finally left the room. They got out of the basement which was a huge relief. Mika realized she had been suffocating all the time she was down there; she had forgotten was it was like to breathe mostly pure oxygen.
-Ok, so I'll head back home, my mum must be freaking out. See you around, oh and thanks again! said Kaylen cheerfully and went for the exit.
Mika smiled in acknowledgement and waved. The door closed behind Kaylen and Mika sighed. She was really exhausted.
She crouched on the ground for a quick rest. Two crazy events in about a day. That's when she remembered it was still night. She was struggling to remain sane and she knew if she stayed any longer she wouldn't.
-Oh, my congratulations to you. The mayor told me all that happened. You were very brave! Charles' voice was heard from the reception.
-Hn, you're awake now? joked Mika as she got up on her feet.
-Why of course! It would be impossible any other way with all that fuss going on.
Mika smirked to herself remembering Charles still fast-asleep after she had screamed and a conversation where no one was really trying to keep it down.
Exhaustion having gotten the best of her, she decided to get some sleep. She went for the lift and within seconds she was in her favourite room. She walked straight ahead until she crashed on the bed face down.
-Ohh, so tiring! she sighed as she felt her muscles ache all over her body. She closed her eyes to sleep and started to feel calmer.
-I wouldn't get too relaxed if I were you…
She jumped up. Who had spoken? She looked around the room. Nothing unusual, so she calmed down. She could have sworn she heard a voice though. It really creeped her out. Obviously this town had more of an effect on her that she thought.
Pacified, she lay back down and tried to sleep.
-You can't really ignore my presence, Mika…
She jumped up and this time she screamed. Enough crazy things already, not voices in her head too!
-Who are you? What do you want? Get out here! I just beat a very dangerous person just now!
-Yes, and I was very impressed. Your interference however ruined my plans.